Cristiano Ronaldo wants patience from Real Madrid teammates and fans

MADRID, Spain — Cristiano Ronaldo wants patience, both from his Real Madrid teammates and the Spanish club's demanding fans.

The Portugal winger, who moved to Madrid from Manchester United in the off-season, has scored nine goals in seven appearances - all wins - since leaving England. But an ankle injury has recently forced him to the sidelines, where he has been watching his star-studded team struggle.

"I've already missed some games to injury but it's not like I'm the saviour," Ronaldo said in an interview. "I'm just a player that will give to help the team to win, but the team needs to work. I think things will improve."

Ronaldo has missed Madrid's past six games, one of those being a 4-0 loss at Alcorcon in the first leg of the fourth round of the Copa del Rey. That result put pressure on coach Manuel Pellegrini, who has pleaded for more time.

But how much more time can be given to a team that spent more than 250 million euros (C$398 million) in the off-season for players such as Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso?

"I don't know, only time will tell," Ronaldo said in Spanish. "I can't say to you tomorrow, or after a month. I just hope it's as quickly as possible because if not we'll lose games or points and that's not good for the club or for us the players, either.

"It's difficult when we lose a game, or another with a little pressure, but that's normal and it's a club that's used to it and players should be ready for that."

The biggest factor for the early season sluggishness, Ronaldo believes, is the return of Madrid president Florentino Perez and his purchase of several new players.

"It's a club where you can't learn, you have to be ready when you arrive here and us players have to give our best to continue improving," Ronaldo said. "I'm certain - 100 per cent certain - that the team will reach a high level, but that takes time."

In the Spanish league, Madrid trails defending champion Barcelona by one point and Ronaldo believes the difference in experience has much to do with their contrasting starts.

"We know if we get better we'll reach a good level and we'll be able to fight against (Barcelona), which has a clear base foundation of great players who go out playing the same way with the same difference," he said. "Madrid is not like that. But, little by little, I'm confident the team will improve and we will play well. I'm sure of that."

Lionel Messi is one of Barcelona's best players, and the Argentina forward is the clear favourite to take Ronaldo's Golden Ball and FIFA Player of the Year titles away after helping his team become the first Spanish club to win three major trophies in a season.

Ronaldo said Barcelona's never-changing system is the main reason for that.

"He's got a great team at his back and it's a lot easier when you have so many great players of quality around you," Ronaldo said. "When you play in a team under construction, it's much more difficult and Barca has a team that for many years has been great."

Ronaldo, however, isn't ready to concede the league title to Barcelona just yet.

"They are no favourites in my opinion," Ronaldo said. "The truth is Barca is playing really well, playing better than us. That's the reality and people know that. But accounts are settled at the end of the season and I'm confident we're going to improve and we're going to fight to the end of the season."

Although surrounded by press managers, photographers and bodyguards, Ronaldo stayed calm when asked about getting back on the field.

"I'm very relaxed and will keep working in the same way that I did at Manchester and I know things will work out little by little and the team will get better," said the 24-year-old Ronaldo, who will also begin modelling Armani clothes alongside Hollywood actress Megan Fox.

Not even a foot injury and luxury clothes could keep Ronaldo from juggling a football, when his normally stoic demeanour dropped momentarily as he described his life in the Spanish capital.

"Life is very good. It's very similar to Portugal, I knew that before and I'm very happy here. It's a very lovely city," Ronaldo said. "It's totally different (from Manchester). Here there is almost always sun. The personality of the people are very different. The league, the food - almost everything is different and for that it's been a very radical change."

Football transfer rumours: David Villa to Chelsea ... again?

Look at his face. Just look at his face. While the temptation to forego a round-up of the day's tabloid tittle-tattle in favour of a good old fashioned caption competition instead (the winning entrant will be chosen at 2.30pm and receive their choice of - Rumour Mill writer scans desk for free tat to give away - In The Shadow Of A Giant: The Autobiography of Arsenal and Wales Legend Mel Charles or Nobody Beats Us: The Inside Story of the 1970s Wales Rugby Team or a partially chewed blue biro missing its lid or the apparently discarded bicycle helmet of the Rumour Mill's colleague Mikey Stafford*), it would be a gross dereliction of journalistic duty not to list the contenders queuing up to plant their rumps in the managerial hotseat at Anfield: Jose Mourinho.

Yes, yes, it's well documented that Waldorf and Statler can't afford to sack Rafa Benitez and the Rumour Mill doesn't want to see any man lose his job in these difficult times, but in the wake of Saturday's comedy of errors at Craven Cottage and the run up to Wednesday's humiliation at the Stade Gerland, it's becoming increasingly apparent that Liverpool's American owners can't afford not to sack him, even though such a move could well ruin the fun for those of us sitting by the guillotine with knitting in hand, waiting to see exactly how much gas there is in this particular explosion/mixed metaphor. Whatever about finishing in the top four come season's end, at the rate they're shipping goals, players and points, Liverpool will be lucky to finish in the top 10 of the Premier League this season.

As you'd expect on a Monday morning following one of the more fascinating weekends in recent Premier League history, tabloid transfer tell-all is fairly thin on the ground, what with the papers devoting the lion's share of their column inchage to match reports, thundering opinion pieces and The X Factor. That said, the Mirror has made room for the obligatory whispers linking Valencia striker David Villa with a £33m move to Chelsea, a football club that is not prepared to let the small matter of a transfer ban curtail their spending on new talent during the January transfer window. While the Mirror reports that Villa would rather go to Manchester United and rejected Chelsea's advances during the summer, the Rumour Mill has it on good authority that he's quite the homebird and has no desire whatsoever to leave his nearest and dearest in Spain for a cold, wet, foreign country where he can't speak the lingo.

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Ronaldo calls for Rooney at Real

Cristiano Ronaldo, the former Manchester United star and current World Player of the Year, would love to see old teammate Wayne Rooney, and one time adversary, at Real Madrid.

The Portuguese winger, who moved to the Spanish capital in the summer for a record £80 million fee, claimed that Rooney would be ideally suited to life at the Bernabeu, although Rooney has stated on a number of occasions he plans to be a United player for a long time yet.

David Beckham and Ruud van Nistelrooy have also made the switch from Old Trafford in the past, although neither made such an immediate impression with Ronaldo scoring nine goals in seven appearances before injury recently sidelined him.

“Wayne would be a sensation out here,” said Ronaldo. “He would be brilliant if he came here. This is the ideal place for the world's best players and there's little doubt he is one of them.”

Ronaldo did confess that the probability of 24-year-old Rooney making the switch was slim, but was quick to point out that anything is possible in football.

“I realise it would take a lot for him to move from England. He loves the country, he loves Manchester and he is a Liverpool boy. And United is a good club for him. But you never know what could happen in the future.''

Rooney has taken on the mantle of United talisman from Ronaldo this season, and chipped in with another superbly taken goal against Blackburn yesterday.

It was Rooney’s eighth goal of the season, and earned him high praise from the Premier League’s greatest-ever goalscorer. Alan Shearer said: “It was a fantastic finish by Wayne. It is a difficult skill to sweep the ball like that – with his wrong foot – but he did it superbly and gave the keeper no chance.”

One more good reason why United would never consider selling Wayne Rooney. Mind you, didn’t they say that about Beckham, Van Nistelrooy and Ronaldo? Just a thought.

Source:http://www.givemefootball.com

Ronaldinho says smile is back on his face

MILAN, Italy — Ronaldinho said on Tuesday that he is finally happy again playing for Brazilian compatriot Leonardo at AC Milan.

The Italians tackle Real Madrid in the Champions League at the San Siro on Wednesday as the two most successful clubs in European competition go head to head for the second time in two weeks.

The 29-year-old has endured a difficult last two seasons, proving to be a shadow of the player he once was when he inspired Barcelona to Champions League glory and won successive world player of the year awards.

But he has been improving lately, and proving decisive for Milan by creating many crucial goals recently.

"With Leonardo (the coach) I'm happy. Football is like this, right now I feel good and I'm happy," Ronaldinho said.

"And when I feel like this, things work better. What's the secret? I've worked hard and I've had the time to do so.

"The coach and the physio are helping me, I'm going onto the pitch at 100 percent and my body is responding, things are coming easier to me.

"Last season I didn't play much, now I'm playing more and the coach has confidence in me."

Ronaldinho actually made a pretty good start to his Milan career last season, scoring the winner in the Milan derby with a rare header.

But injury and some ill-discipline during the winter break affected the second half of his season, in which he struggled to earn a place in the starting line up and rarely bristled even when he did play.

All he wants now is to start adding goals to his repertoire.

"I'm delighted to help my team-mates, I'm providing assists but I want to do better by scoring goals," he added.

"I'm expecting a great night for the whole team and I want to give my all."

Leonardo has been trying to boost his player's confidence by claiming he would go down in history as one of the greatest of all time.

"Surely we have to insert Ronaldinho in the list of the top 10 players of all time," he said before turning attentions to Wednesday's game.

"These matches between Milan and Real have a history all of their own. Our results have been good, we've got a good atmosphere and it's always the right time for a game like this."

Milan are sweating over the fitness of centre-back Alessandro Nesta while Leonardo will have to decide who out of Filippo Inzaghi and Marco Borriello will partner Ronaldinho and Pato in his three-man attack.

While the game is probably the biggest in Europe this week, it is not a winner takes all clash for these two.

Whatever the result in this Group C match they will both come out of it still in a good position to qualify for the Champions League knock-out stages.

They both have six points with Marseille and FC Zurich three points back and Real's Chilean coach Manuel Pellegrini is thinking more about top spot than qualifying.

"Both teams are aiming for first place in the group and will be trying to win," he said.

"We'll have a go from the first minute and we'll see what happens but I'm sure we'll play a great match."

Pellegrini also insisted his team had not taken Milan lightly in their first match in the Bernabeu, where the Italians scored a shock 3-2 win.

"We weren't over-confident, until they equalised (at 1-1) we had controlled the game," he said.

"Then we lost our shape and with the great players they have, Milan made the most of that."

Despite not scoring in six matches, France forward Karim Benzema looks likely to start alongside Argentine Gonzalo Higuain in attack with Raul dropping to the bench.

Wayne Rooney ready for centre stage at Manchester United now Ronaldo has gone

Wayne Rooney is ready to step forward and become Manchester United's main man.

The England international believes he can take on the mantle after Cristiano Ronaldo's world record £80million transfer to Real Madrid.

Rooney has already told manager Sir Alex Ferguson he wants to play as a striker rather than on the wing.

But he is convinced he now has the experience as well as ability to shoulder the responsibility of talisman for the club.

He is desperate to lead United to more domestic and European success - and prove Ronaldo is not indispensable.

Rooney's selfless commitment to the United cause last season, often operating wide and backtracking to help the defence, has earned him widespread appreciation.

But it has compromised his attacking prowess and he confronted Ferguson over his position before the end of the term.

Rooney's case has been reinforced by his performances for England, who have given him licence to run at the heart of defences and raid the penalty area. He has rewarded Fabio Capello with eight goals in the World Cup qualifying campaign and virtually secured the national team's passage to next year's finals.

United insiders contend Rooney is a victim of his own versatility and enthusiasm - as well as Ronaldo's ego.


They argue that now the Portuguese is on his way, Rooney can be unleashed and become the inspiration for the next Old Trafford generation.

The golden boy of English football was expected to grow into that role when United signed him from Everton five years ago.

Ronaldo had been signed from Sporting the previous summer but was generally regarded as a one-trick pony. Rooney was considered the player of substance, the real deal.

Yet Ronaldo began to harness his exceptional talent and Rooney was eclipsed.

Ronaldo's phenomenal 200708 season, when he scored 42 goals and led United to a Premier League and Champions League double, brought also a cascade of individual awards. He cleaned up at domestic, European and world level.

Last season the fractures in Ronaldo's relationship with United began to appear while Rooney soldiered on, uncomplaining in public, but increasingly frustrated.

He knew he could play a more productive part for United and left Ferguson in no doubt about his feelings.

The United boss knows better than anyone that Rooney has the capability and application to respond to the added challenge.

Now, at the age of 23, Rooney is ready to step out of Ronaldo's shadow and achieve the stature many feel is his destiny.


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Brazil: Pele, Ronaldinho, Samba

"So how is your Spanish?" ask my friends in India when I talk to them from my current location

"Why Spanish?"

"Aren't you now in Latin America, in Brazil, the land of football, Samba, and beauty queens?"

"Indeed, I am. But it is Portuguese here and not Spanish and to answer your question my language is still pretty bad," I answer.

Their ignorance is understandable. This land is so far, so remote in one's imagination, that to believe that all of Latin America speaks Spanish; that to Samba is the same as to tango is natural though not true.

At my Brazilian end too, I get questions. "What is common and what is starkly different between Brazil and India?" ask some Brazilian journalists to me, a new Indian ambassador. Our two countries today are in several common groupings with fancy acronyms which bring emerging countries together -- IBSA, BRIC, G-20 and so on and hence curiosity about India has been rising.

"Well, the commonalities are several," I start and enumerate the obvious: "We are both big countries: Brazil is actually two-and-a-half terms the size of India, but India is a big country too; both have large populations -- Brazil is one fifth of India, but two hundred million is not a small population; both are vibrant democracies; possess great diversity -- Brazil has large numbers of people of Japanese and Lebanese origin apart from millions with European, African and native Indian descent making it a happily assimilative melting pot for the last 300 years; have capabilities in industry and in S&T..."

Even as I go on listing all this, my questioners from the media become impatient. "What are the differences then?"

Again I start with the obvious. "We speak English, Hindi and many other languages; but you are nearly mono-lingual in Portuguese; you excel at football and we are passionate about cricket; your cuisine is varied no doubt but tends to be bland at least to me and ours is also diverse and exotic, but spicy to most Brazilians."

When I am saying all this, my mind is wandering and wondering about how our different pasts, specialty the colonial past have influenced our present.

The story of European colonisation starts with Portugal, a small country compared to England [ Images ], France [ Images ] or Spain, but which had many adventurous seafarers. Their first voyages occurred at the same time with landings in both India and Brazil. If Vasco de Gama landed at Calicut in 1498, Cabral the sailor who 'discovered' Brazil landed in the northeast coast of Brazil in 1500, again in a search for a route to India.

As we know, Columbus was trying to reach India and in the process 'discovered' America; Cabral with a similar intention landed at the coast of another country in another continent to the South that came to be named Brazil.

What lay at the other end of these voyages was however very different. India already had hundreds of millions of people, an ancient civilisation and a long history of political organisation and administration. The Portuguese and later the British were in a long line of foreigners landing on our shores.
In contrast, the huge area of Brazil was much less inhabited, some estimates put the figure of indigenous people at one million, had nearly empty vast interior spaces and the Tupis -- the native inhabitants were readily welcoming the European 'guests' according to accounts of that period, a bit different from the Zamorin of Kozhikode.

Each colonial history is different: The British, the French, the Spanish or the Portuguese brought their own distinctive traits to bear on the land that they colonised, but equally the character of the land and the people too shaped the outcome of the encounter. In Brazil this took a distinctive form like nowhere else.

Portuguese may have been the first Europeans in Brazil and today, five hundred years later, Portuguese may still be the lingua franca of Brazil, but its identity, culture, customs or cuisine have been shaped by many other influences apart from the European. The reasons for this are the sheer vastness of Brazil, its abundant riches and resources, and as a result the influx of people from different parts of the world starting from as early as 1550.
As we noted, first there were the indigenous natives and then the new settlers from Portugal. But soon it became evident that to farm the land, to grow sugar and later coffee, labour was needed in plenty.

In the first few hundred years after 1500, slaves were brought from Africa, on a scale much larger than the United States. Their large numbers and the cohabitation and to use that terrible word that we see in colonial studies the so-called 'miscegenation' has imprinted Brazil with a distinctive African heritage.

The manifestations today are in the world famous Carnival, the sensuous appeal of the Samba and in the pulsating magic of figures like Pele or Ronaldinho [ Images ]. They are integrally Brazilian but with some African ancestors casting a benevolent eye on their graceful exploits on the football field.

But this, the influence of Europe and Africa is not all. In 1908, a century ago, there was a famine in Japan [ Images ] and the search for work led to a large migration from Japan to initially work in the coffee plantations of Brazil, the world's richest coffee grower. Today next to Japan, the largest Japanese community is in Brazil, all speaking Portuguese and many following the Catholic faith.

There are also very large Brazilian communities tracing their roots to Lebanon, Germany [ Images ] and Italy [ Images ] adding to the colours of the kaleidoscope.

I find it fascinating that this is one country without many Indians, our kind of Indians. The reasons are natural, once you think of it. The huge numbers of Indian labour that were taken or sent to work in plantations went to where the British ruled -- Sri Lanka [ Images ], Fiji, Mauritius and farther apart to the Caribbean -- Guyana or Trinidad. No British domination over Brazil and hence no Indian migration.

That India would get ruled by the British and not by Portuguese except in some parts was a historic destiny. Why, even Mumbai [ Images ] was given away as a dowry gift by the Portuguese, when their princess, Catherine de Braganza married Prince Charles of England in 1661.

Apart from all this, there is another interesting and perhaps unique twist in the Brazilian past that has made Brazilians not think of themselves as having been 'colonised'. Though the huge landmass of Brazil had come under tiny Portugal, in 1807 Napoleon threatened the Portuguese monarchy in Lisbon.

In a flotilla of four hundred boats the royal family fled to Brazil and established their capital in Rio de Janeiro.

Subsequently, the Portuguese empire declared that its capital and seat would be Rio rather than Lisbon. Comparable to Calcutta being declared the seat of all of the British Empire!

One result of this history is that there are few seminars on 'colonial inheritance' or 'post-colonial deconstruction' of the kind that we see in Indian academic circles. Portuguese is not a foreign language for the Brazilians: in fact it is their language, often their only one.

'How come, you don't speak Portuguese?' ask some friendly Brazilians.

I don't know what to say. "Well, I am learning," I answer tamely. "Not all Indians are Goans," I try as a joke. They look mystified, understandably clueless at a shared bit of historical connection from the remote past.


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Should Barcelona let Eto’o go?

While Real Madrid were tying up their deal to sign Kaka from AC Milan, Barcelona seemed curiously ambivalent about the possibility of losing one of their big-name players, the  Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o .
The 28-year-old has a contract until 2010 when he will be able to leave free of cost, unless an extension can be agreed or the club decide to cash in on him now.

The first meeting to discuss the issue between his agent Jose Maria Mesalles and Barca’s sports director Txiki Begiristain, took place on Monday with very little seemingly resolved.

“The technical staff and the representative have met to try and agree a period of continuity, which is what we would like,” Barca president Joan Laporta said on the club website.

Mesalles said no renewal proposal had been forthcoming so far, but insisted Eto’o wanted to continue.

He was quoted in Spanish media as saying: “We are open to every possibility. If we have to look at a renewal we will study it, but if there is another possibility we will study that too.”

Inter Milan and Manchester City have been linked with interest for Eto’o, while Barca are reported to have considered a swap deal involving Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and moves for Atletico Madrid’s Diego Forlan or Olympique Lyon’s Karim Benzema*, or maybe even Bayern Munich;s Luca Toni.

But why would they not want to hang on to a player who scored 30 goals in the Primera Liga last season and netted the opener in their Champions League final victory over Manchester United?

Media reports have suggested there are differences over the terms of a renewal, and that coach Pep Guardiola may want a different style of striker to lead the line along with Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi.
Perhaps Barca’s greatest fear is that if they cannot meet the player’s demands on an improved contract, or convince him to take up an offer from another club, he could just walk away from them next year denying them a substantial payday.

It is an issue that is unlikely to be resolved quickly, as Mesalles recognised: “The market is open until August 31 and anything can happen before then.”

PHOTO: Barcelona’s Samuel Etoo scores against Deportivo Coruna during their league match in Coruna May 30, 2009. REUTERS/Miguel Vidal


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Dark side of Wayne Rooney shows again alongside spectacular goal

Wayne Rooney's temperament often overshadows an impressive career with England.

Widely accused of suffering from a very short fuse, the Manchester United striker is no stranger to criticism from England managers past and present.

They worry about his ability to control tempestuous emotions on the field.

Yet, the 23-year-old marksman has been sent off only once in a flourishing international career that saw him pick up his 51st cap against Kazakhstan yesterday.

During that time, he has scored 22 goals - including a spectacular volley in Almaty.

On his day, Rooney is one of the most dangerous strikers in world. His positional play, eye for goal and awareness are exceptional attributes few players can match.

If there's a deficiency in his game, aside from the 'emotional time bomb' claims, it's his frustration at failing to receive service.

He invariably moves into unfamiliar territory in search of the ball and gets involved in rucks with his own players.

Those close to him claim a growing sense of responsibility and imminent fatherhood have brought about a positive change in his character.

Sadly, you were left to question those claims as Rooney's dark side showed up again last night.
The physical tactics the Kazakhs employed to shackle him were evident. But it was also clear Rooney's frustrations at his own team-mates were close to boiling point.
In the first half, with the game goalless, his arms came up in annoyance as he saw less and less of the ball.
Eventually, he tracked back deep inside his own half to pick it up and unleashed a volley of abuse at his own players.

Despite England's two-goal half-time lead, he trudged down the tunnel, mumbling to himself with his head hung low.

Rooney's mood continued to deteriorate further after the interval, as he drifted out of the game for long spells.
But that was all to change in a moment of magic when he made it 3-0 with an acrobatic volley. The dark clouds were lifted as Rooney celebrated his eighth international goal in his last six outings - a phenomenal run.
The happy Rooney tune didn't last long and he was soon ranting and raving again.

But as one England fan said at the end: "Roo can kick off all day as far as I'm concerned, but if he scores and England win, who gives a damn?"




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Rich Gladiators show off their logos at the Stadio Olimpico

Boot-iful: Lionel Messi toasts Barca's winning goal by celebrating with his new Adidas boots at the dismay of fellow Three Stripes endorser Edwin Van der Sar

It was a Roman contest with a 21st Century twist. A fierce gladiatorial battle but the chosen weapons were 'Flywire' technology and 'Sprintskin' fabrics, not spears and daggers.
Lionel Messi's twinkling toes were encased in his brand new adidas F50i, cyan and black, customised boots, bearing an image of the European Cup and the date.
Cristiano Ronaldo strutted confidently in a pair of Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly, the lightest and fastest football boots known to man, according to their manufacturers.

Like a James Bond movie, the Champions League final is not complete without another wave of state-of-the-art sporting gadgets and designs. 

This game, beamed around the world, is the extreme example of why Manchester United, Barcelona and their players command huge sums of money to carry a certain logo.

Last year's final was an epic clash of Nike-sponsored United against adidas-backed Chelsea. Both were relieved to find the fall guys in the penalty shootout - Nicolas Anelka and John Terry - were wearing Puma and Umbro.

Last night was something of a Nikefest and they celebrated by decorating flagship stores with a 'Great men made Rome great' image featuring Nike wearers in the final, like Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Ronaldo and Andres Iniesta.


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England Boss Fabio Capello - Wayne Rooney Was Nervous In Champions League Final

With the 2010 World Cup on the horizon, Fabio Capello has been examining footage of his potential England team.

Afforded little evidence of how his side would cope if they were to progress to the final due to the country's failure to reach one since 1966, Capello has been forced to look at other sources - including Manchester United's Champions League decider with Barcelona.

The England boss believes that his star striker, Wayne Rooney, suffered from a bout of stage fright during the tie in Rome, but he is confident that it will not affect the player's international performances.

"Rooney lost easy passes in Rome, incredible - he was nervous, he wanted to play different," Capello said, quoted by the Associated Press.

"When you have to win, sometimes the pressure is too big and when you go to the pitch it's not the same. United played for 10 minutes like United but struggled after that.

"It's not a problem for me because [Rooney] is a very, very good player and he will play very well.

"It's normal in a career of one player to lose and to win. For me I forgot every time when I lost. As a player I lost a final against Ajax and as a manager I lost some finals.

"You win, you lose - but you carry on.''


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Book on Beckham Academy kick-off

Children's book based around David Beckham Academy is published 

The four-volume fictional series, comprising Twin Trouble, Le Football, Save The Day and Bossy Boots, is aimed at boys and girls aged seven and up with an interest - surprise, surprise - in football.

Each tome follows the escapades of a different group of youngsters at the former England captain's football academy in Greenwich, south

Two activity books will include ideas for training, including pull-out tactics boards, puzzles and a stats section.

The 34-year-old AC Milan midfielder said: "I'm very pleased that the academy has inspired this series of books, and am hopeful that it will bring more children to reading. 

"The academy is dedicated to the development of all those that attend and these books are a fantastic addition to its scope." 

Beckham opened the academy in 2005 to offer youngsters high-quality coaching and teach them life skills through football. 

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David Beckham Hopes For Quick AC Milan Return

AC Milan midfielder David Beckham helped his side reach direct qualification to the Champions League as they defeated Fiorentina 2-0 at the Artemio Franchi stadium this afternoon.

This is Beckham’s final match for the Rossoneri before his return to the Los Angeles Galaxy, even though he hopes he will be back in Milan soon.

“Even though today we did not win anything, we have reached the direct qualification to the Champions League,” commented the former Manchester United player to Milan Channel. “Winning today was fundamental, just like being in the Champions League.

“With regards to my future I cannot say anything more than what I said two weeks or two months ago: now I return to Los Angeles for the final part of the season, then we’ll see what happens, but I hope to return soon.

“My thanks goes to everyone, they have all been fantastic with me in making me feel like a part of the team from the first minute and I wish them all the best.

“With Carlo Ancelotti away from Milan, an era comes to an end, extraordinary years come to an end, but wherever he will go to coach, it will be a lucky club to have him.”

The 34-year-old player joined Milan last January and played a total of 18 league games.


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Kaka reiterates Milan stance

AC Milan star Kaka has reiterated that he does not want to leave San Siro, as reports suggest he is set to follow Carlo Ancelotti to Chelsea.

Speculation has suggested that informal talks over a £70million deal have already started as the Blues look to tempt the Brazilian to the Premier League, while returning Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is also a long-term admirer.

Ancelotti's appointment as manager at Stamford Bridge was confirmed on Monday and the Italian is set to begin a three-year contract at the beginning of July with the aim of securing the UEFA Champions League.

It is rumoured that Kaka is top of the 49-year-old's wanted list as he plans tweaks to his inherited, ageing squad, with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich understood to be prepared to spend big this summer.
World record

But Kaka, who broke into the Milan side under former boss Ancelotti, insists he is staying in Italy, telling Gazzetta dello Sport: "I say it for the last time. I don't want to leave Milan."

The playmaker appeared to be on the verge of a world-record switch to Manchester City in the winter transfer window before the deal collapsed as Milan opted out of selling.

Kaka's potential move to Eastlands was shrouded in controversy as it was suggested the player was being forced out of Italy against his wishes.

The 27-year-old has now stated that he will make no further comment upon his future so that there is no confusion over his desire to stay at Milan.

Silent

"In this period I prefer to remain silent because I don't want to be misunderstood," he added.

"To the millions of Milan supporters, I say that I have made my choice. I want to stay."

Kaka admits that he is in a debt of gratitude to Ancelotti after he was offered the opportunity to shine.

"I owe him a lot. He opened the doors for me in Italian football," he concluded.


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Manchester United hope to succeed in their 'last chance' to sign Carlos Tevez

 

Manchester United fans make their feelings plain

Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea have all now, in principle, reached the asking price for the 25-year-old Argentine. However his adviser, Kia Joorabchian, the man who leads the group of investors who own the rights to Tevez, insists he will not enter into negotiations until June 10.

It was claimed on Sunday that City had agreed a deal for Tevez but Joorabchian is insistent that this is not the case and that the striker wants to wait until after Argentina have completed their forthcoming international matches. They play Colombia at home on June 6 and then are away to Ecuador four days later in two crucial World Cup qualification matches.

Although Tevez has appeared certain to leave United, having failed to secure a permanent contract at the end of his two-year loan period, and having said his farewells to the rest of the squad following last week's Champions League final, there is one last chance for United to secure a deal.

Chief executive David Gill indicated last week that the club were considering backing down in their attempts to renegotiate a price for Tevez, having hoped to pay less than £20 million. Gill also admitted it was "easier" to deal with a company than a club in this case – something Sir Alex Ferguson had said wasn't the case, much to Joorabchian's annoyance.

Another significant hurdle for United is to convince Tevez that he will play frequently enough. One of the player's major complaints is that he has not started a sufficient number of United's important matches and only featured as a half-time substitute in last week's final. He has become disillusioned and wanted to leave, as he declared in an interview with the Sunday Telegraph last month.

Tevez's anger has, however, cooled and he is now less certain that he will definitely be leaving United. He wants to stay in the Premier League and the firm interest from three of United's rivals has also not gone unnoticed by Gill and Ferguson who had hoped there would not be other serious bidders, allowing them to renegotiate the original terms.

City are proving to be the most eager bidders at present with manager Mark Hughes, along with his family, his backroom staff and their families, in Abu Dhabi for a short holiday. The will also discuss the club's transfer targets with owner Sheikh Mansour who has indicated, despite public declarations otherwise, that he wants to spend big this summer in order to challenge for the Champions League places. City are likely to also mount a serious bid for Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o who has been told he can leave the club even if he would prefer to stay.

Joorabchian is aware of City's interest in Tevez – and their keenness to conclude a quick deal - but has informed them that he will not hold talks until after the international programme has finished and, also, he has concluded negotiations with United.


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Doubts about Eto'o future

 

Barcelona president Joan Laporta said "it would be nice that Eto'o retires here," though he warned. "There could be a surprise." 

 

Joan Laporta, who insisted on the fact that all the topics related to the season planning lie in the hands of sporting director Txiki Beguiristain and coach Pep Guardiola, he said Samuel Eto'o "is one of the players who always receives juicy offers."

Samuel Eto'o contract with Barcelona expires next season; so, if the Cameroonian player and the team fail to reach an agreement, he will be entitled to join any team he wishes as from January 1, 2010.

"We want him to stay with us, his contract is still in force and we hope he can accept a deal renewal," Laporta commented. He insisted that all sports decisions are made by the sporting director, so he won't reveal a fact. "I won't talk about anything that are not convenient."

When asked about whether Florentino Perez shocked the market with such a huge offer for Kaka, Laporta said. "Barcelona will stick to the same policy, regardless of any decision made."

"Our advantage is that the players take Barcelona as a point of reference because of all the titles we've earned recently, I say it with all respect," Laporta added. "We always try to play the player what he really deserves and what is fair for the team,"; He also stated that he feels proud of their policy, which is based on focusing on players coming from the junior divisions.

Freestyle Juggling - 4 Years Old

WTF!

Kaka Can Leave Milan For €65m

Kaka patiently awaits questions from journalists during the 2008 FIFA World Player Gala in Zurich (PA)

AC Milan are preparing to tell interested parties that Kaka can leave if they are willing to pay €65 million to help pay off debts that the club accumulated last season.

The Italian giants have been reported to be ready to listen to offers and that could see Florentino Perez seek to secure an early deal to take him to Real Madrid.

Corriere dello Sport state that holding company Fininvest, which is owned by Italy's president and Milan supremo Silvio Berlusconi, does not want to take the debt on board.

With a deficit of €66.8 million from last term, the sale of Kaka would wipe that out in an instant and allow the club to start planning for next term.

Milan already have a replacement for the former Ballon d'Or winner in Yoann Gourcuff, whom they would prevent from joining Bordeaux on a permanent basis after his loan spell at the club.

Kaka was on the verge of joining Manchester City in January before the potential move fell apart, but Milan's willingness to listen to the bid affected their relationship with the player.

Madrid have constantly been linked with the Brazilian after Ramon Calderon included him as one of the players he promised, and failed, to sign in his presidential election manifes


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Ronaldo: There's history to be made at United

Should he stay or should he go? Ronaldo has unfinished business at United - even if Sir Alex Ferguson's side triumph in Rome

At Manchester United, as long as Sir Alex Ferguson remains manager, there will always be something for which to aim. A fresh peak, a new page in the history book. That is why, as we prepare to enter another Cristiano Ronaldo debating season, the one argument that can be discounted is that he has done all he can at his present club.

Ronaldo insists he will be staying, yet the rumours persist. Certainly, there are a number of men who stand to make many millions if they can facilitate the deal that takes him to Real Madrid, and who therefore have a vested interest in perpetuating the idea that he is unsettled, even if it is untrue.
Yet why should he not wish to do another year at Old Trafford. Indeed, why would he not do another 10? This time last season, the speculation was that Ronaldo wanted to go out on the high of winning the first all-English European Cup final, as if nothing could beat that.

Now here we are, 12 months on, and Manchester United stand on the brink of an even greater achievement: to be the first club to retain the trophy in its modern, Champions League, format. First, they must overcome Barcelona, who have been laying waste to their own record books in Spain.
Top that? Well, incredibly, United could if next season they become the only English club to win four straight league titles. This would bring their total to 19, the most to be won (although Liverpool are now claiming two wartime titles to take their total to 20, which seems even more desperate than some of Rafael Benitez’s most recent press conference pronouncements).
For this team, at this unique moment in history, there is always a new milestone to be passed. In the excitement at theprospect of United retaining the Champions League, it has almost been overlooked that this season they have become the first club to win three consecutive league titles over two periods in history.
Real Madrid have won the Spanish league five times on the turn, so too Juventus and Torino in Italy and Porto in Portugal, but three has long been the ceiling in the English game. Huddersfield Town, Arsenal and Liverpool have done it, and United twice. And, of course, it is hard for somebody from outside the country to be responsive to the saga of the English game spanning three centuries, but every time Ronaldo stepped on the field this season, each time he helped Manchester United to victory, he was becoming part of England’s sporting folklore.
That will be true next season, too, if he can inspire a fourth triumph. With the exception of The Wednesday, every English league champion is still a member of the English league, and bearing the same name, today. Yet none have won it four times consecutively. And, yes, football clubs are about more than black and white columns in books on dusty shelves, they are about people and passion and the emotion Ronaldo clearly experiences when he thinks of Real Madrid.
Yet he may wish to consider why he felt that way, as a boy growing up in Funchal, on the island of Madeira; why he was bewitched by a club that played in a foreign league, in a foreign city, over 900 miles away. And the answer would be that he fell in love with their history, with their achievement, with the legends of special players and special football.
And, if he would only realise, that is what he is creating at Manchester United now. It is why Ronaldo’s work is not yet done, even if he leaves Rome triumphant once more.

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Ronaldo, Ronaldinho left off Brazil's roster

Ronaldo and Ronaldinho were not named to Brazil's roster Thursday by manager Dunga for two upcoming World Cup qualifiers and the Confederations Cup,

Brazil plays Uruguay on June 6 and Paraguay June 10 in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup. The Confederations Cup is June 14-28 in South Africa.

Brazil is second in South American qualifying, three points behind Paraguay. The top four finishers automatically advance to the World Cup in South Africa.

The Brazilians are in Group B with Egypt, Italy and the United States in the Confederations Cup. Spain highlights Group A, which includes Iraq, New Zealand and South Africa.

Following is Brazil's full roster:

Forwards: Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Nilmar (Inter Milan), Robinho (Manchester City).

Midfielders: Anderson (Manchester United), Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Josue (Wolfsburg), Ramires (Cruzeiro), Elano (Manchester City), Felipe Melo (Fiorentina), Julio Baptista (Roma), Kaka (AC Milan).

Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Alex (Chelsea), Juan (Roma), Lucio (Bayern Munich), Luisao (Benfica), Kleber (Inter Milan), Andre Santos (Corinthians).

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Gomes (Tottenham), Victor (Gremio).

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Freestyler John fails in talent show bid

 

Football freestyler John Farnworth has failed to make the semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent.

The 22-year-old, from Longridge, had wowed the judges with his tricks at the audition stage of the TV competition.

But the former world freestyle champion was not selected as one of the 40 acts for the live semi-finals.

In the last year John has won a £28,000 car for submitting a video of his skills to Sky Sports' Soccer AM and smashed the world record for the most "around the worlds" in one minute.


Oh shoot. John is definitely a monster in terms of football freestyling!
Well, maybe I'll go for Susan Boyle rather. :)



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